Packet of premeasured washing powder for washing machines

ABSTRACT

A packet ( 1 ) of washing machine detergent is disclosed, in the form of a non-woven fabric bag, possibly pre-treated to act as a dye absorber, containing a pre-measured amount of powder product comprising detergent proper with the addition of at least one among the following substances: sanitiser, perfume, descaler and bleach.

The present invention relates to a packet of pre-measured atomised powder detergent for washing machines.

As is known, at present when washing cycles are performed in a washing machine, use is made of various liquid and/or powder products, which are loaded into appropriate drawers and/or into containers placed among the washing in the washing machine drum, from which the various products are released gradually.

Such products comprise in particular the washing machine detergent proper, sanitisers, softeners, perfumes, descalers and bleaches. Furthermore, in the case of washing of coloured items, special sheets of non woven fabric have recently been proposed which, when placed in the washing, absorb the dispersed dyes.

Use of these separate products is not without drawbacks.

First of all, from a practical point of view, it is not easy for the user to handle the various products separately, with the risk of measuring out inadequate amounts.

Another drawback is that packets of various products, sometimes very bulky, have to be stored.

Yet another drawback is given by the difference in the packaging of the various products, which besides being voluminous and also heavy in the case of liquids, are difficult to re-cycle, as in the case of plastic.

Object of the invention is to eliminate the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a ready-to-use packet of product, which is thus very practical, removing the need to have to measure out the products, and takes up the minimum space.

This object is achieved according to the invention with the characteristics set out in the appended independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are apparent from the dependent claims.

The packet of washing machine detergent according to the invention is in the form of a non-woven fabric bag containing a pre-measured amount of powder detergent mixed with at least one of the following substances: sanitiser, perfume, descaler, bleach.

The bag varies in size from 10×10 cm to 20×30 cm and the non woven fabric of which it is made preferably comprises 80% viscose and 20% polypropylene, so as to be sealable in order to have a peripheral closing seal.

Said non-woven fabric of the bag according to the invention is suitably treated so as to absorb the dye dispersed during the washing, preventing the transfer thereof onto the washing items.

Further characteristics of the invention will be made clearer by the detailed description that follows, referring to a purely exemplifying and therefore non limiting embodiment thereof, illustrated in the appended figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic axonometric view of a packet according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1.

With reference to said figures, a packet of atomized powder detergent for washing machine according to the invention is designated as a whole by the numeral 1. The product contained in the packet, shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2, is designated as a whole by reference numeral 2.

The packet 1 is in the form of a non-woven fabric bag, which during the washing gradually releases the product 2 contained therein for cleaning of the washing.

The non-woven fabric is suitably treated, so that the empty bag, after the release of the product 2, acts on the free dyes in solution, absorbing them and thus preventing the transfer of the colours onto the washing.

The non-woven fabric of the bag is preferably white spunlace, includes viscose and polypropylene, in percentages of 80% and 20%, respectively, and has a weight of 79 g/m² +/'12%.

In this manner, the material of the non-woven fabric proves heat sealable and the bag is closed with a peripheral seal 3 which ensures the product 2 remains contained inside the packet.

The product 2 contained in the packet is a variable, pre-measured amount of washing machine detergent with the addition of sanitiser, perfume, descaler and possibly bleach.

A typical composition of the product 2 (or of a washing machine detergent in its more general meaning) is the following:

-   anionic surfactants 7%, -   non-ionic surfactants 6%, -   sodium soap 3%, sequestering agents 12%, -   carbonates 12%, -   silicates 5%, -   sodium percarbonate 13%, -   perfume 0.2%, -   enzymes 0.5%, -   TAED (tetra-acetyl-ethylene diamine), anti-redepositing agents,     phosphates, anti-foamer, optical brightener <1%, -   sodium silicate, as filler, q.s. to 100%.

The average weight of a bag is about 45 g.

The packet according to the invention is ready to use and should be placed directly in the washing machine drum, on top of the washing, and can be used at all temperatures, even cold.

The packet according to the invention is environmentally friendly in that the bag used can be recycled, just as the cardboard containers in which said packet are packed can be recycled.

The packet according to the invention allows a number of results to be achieved simultaneously: cleaning of the washing, perfuming, sanitisation, descaling action, possible bleaching and dye absorption.

With the product according to the invention the amount and the volume of the packaging are reduced, no plastic of any type is used and liquids are not used, so the weight of the product is reduced.

From what is described the advantages according to the invention, which has previously been described and illustrated in a purely exemplifying and therefore non-limiting embodiment, are evident, it being understood that numerous modifications of detail can be made thereto without thereby departing from the scope of said invention which is defined by the appended claims. 

1-8. (canceled)
 9. A packet (1) of washing machine detergent, in the form of a non-woven fabric bag containing a pre-measured amount of ready-to-use powder product (2) consisting in a mixture of detergent proper, with the addition of at least one among the following substances: sanitiser, perfume, descaler, bleach, said non-woven fabric being made of viscose and polypropylene and being treated so as to absorb the free dyes in solution during the washing and to prevent the transfer thereof onto the washing.
 10. A packet according to claim 9, wherein the percentages of viscose and polypropylene are 80% and 20%, respectively.
 11. A packet according to claim 9, wherein the weight of said non-woven fabric is 79 g/m² +/−12%.
 12. A packet according to claim 9, characterised in that it is closed by a peripheral seal (3).
 13. A packet according to claim 9, wherein the size of said bag ranges from 10×10 cm to 20×30 cm.
 14. A packet according to claim 9, wherein said product (2) has the following composition: anionic surfactants 7%, non-ionic surfactants 6%, sodium soap 3%, sequestering agents 12%, carbonates 12%, silicates 5%, sodium percarbonate 13%, perfume 0.2%, enzymes 0.5%, TAED (tetra-acetyl-ethylene diamine), anti-redepositing agents, phosphates, anti-foamer, optical brightener <1%, sodium silicate, as filler, q.s. to 100%. 